If you love a good menu hack like we do, get excited: Here are 7 excellent tips on how to make the most out of your next trip to Panera Bread, courtesy of our friends at Spoon University.
Seven months working on the other side of the counter at Panera Bread taught me two things: to be thankful for being spared from the chill of a Chicago winter, and how to transform a normal Panera Bread experience into one that's positively mind-blowing.
So I put together seven Panera hacks that will make your time there even better than usual:
1. When buying drinks, always get the small.
Aside from smoothies, lemonade, iced green tea, hot chocolate and made-to-order espresso drinks, all beverages come with free refills. Whether you're relaxing from a hard week with a warm cup of tea or loading up on caffeine for your all-nighter, don't waste money on buying the larger sizes. Instead, buy the smallest size cup and refill to your heart's content.
2. If they get your order wrong, you're entitled to a treat.
The sign is small and hidden on the counter, but Panera policy states that if your order is wrong, you can request a free treat. Most of the time they will give you a chocolate chip cookie, but they care so much about their customers that they will often give you another pastry if you ask.
#SpoonTip: Panera tends to bake their pastries all day. If you see a baking rack around with cookies on it, ask for a freshly baked one. It will blow your mind.
3. You can substitute meat for avocado for free.
Say you're in the mood for a vegetarian salad or sandwich with avocado on it (because who can say no to avocado?). Instead of ordering a vegetarian version of what you want and adding avocado to it (which will cost an extra $1.59), order the meat version and substitute avocado for free. It will almost always set you back less.
4. There are many ingredients that you can add to your entree for no additional charge
For you veggie lovers out there, there are many vegetables on the menu that you can add to your salad, sandwich or panini for free. Some of the more exotic ones are a slight upcharge, but you can definitely get in your full 5 day's worth without hurting your wallet.
Check out the other three hacks at Spoon University.
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